The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ 

—Exodus 34:6–7

Scripture:

Exodus 34:6-7 

An unforgiving Christian is a contradiction in terms, an oxymoron. To say that you’re a follower of Jesus Christ and yet harbor unforgiveness in your heart is simply wrong. This reality brings us to our final amazing truth in this week’s devotions: You are never more like God than when you forgive.

Alexander Pope wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” We reflect the nature of God in a dramatic way when we are willing to forgive because He is a forgiving God. He makes this clear throughout Scripture.

Exodus 34:6–7 says, “The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’” He wants His people to know that He is forgiving. And if we want to be like Him, we must be forgiving as well.

Jesus touched on the issue of forgiveness time after time during His earthly ministry. It was a theme of many of His parables. He hammered on the issue repeatedly in His private talks with the disciples.

When Jesus taught us to pray, He used these words: “And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12 NLT). That’s how closely intertwined God’s forgiveness and our forgiveness must be. In that same passage, Jesus also said, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (verse 10 NLT). What’s going on in Heaven? The worship of God, the exaltation of Christ, and the granting of forgiveness. Therefore, we should be worshipping God. We should be exalting Jesus Christ. And we should be forgiving one another.

You’ll notice that God doesn’t downplay the seriousness of sin or the effect it has on our relationship with Him. But when we repent, He chooses to forgive, to restore the relationship—not with ulterior motives but rather with a sincere desire for reconciliation. This should be our attitude as well when we forgive others. God wants what’s best for us, even after we’ve done our worst.

Reflection question: Whom might God be calling you to forgive? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 

—James 1:12

Scripture:

James 1:12 

Several years ago, I was talking with a young woman in a wheelchair and her friend after church. The young woman had a severe disability. As we talked, I asked her, “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine,” she told me.

Then her friend explained that the woman had just undergone two brain surgeries to remove cancer and that the operations had been successful.

I looked at this young woman who had just come through such a difficult time and thought, “And where is she now? She’s at church.”

I thought of all the excuses people come up with as to why they can’t make it to church. They have a cold, or it takes too long to get into the parking lot, and so forth. Yet here was this young woman who, despite her life-threatening diagnosis and recent surgeries, was at church, praising God and saying that she was doing fine. I was touched by her example.

I said to her, “You know, the Bible promises a special blessing and crown to those who have suffered in this life. I admire your faith. You’re an inspiration to me.”

In that young woman’s story, we find today’s amazing truth. James 1:12 explains it perfectly: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (NLT).

The first reaction for many people when trials, tribulations, or setbacks occur is to ask, “Why me? Why did God give this burden to me? Why can’t I be as happy or as healthy or as financially secure as other people? Why couldn’t I come from a nurturing, functional family? Why do I have this dark cloud over my head? Why does life have to be so difficult for me?”

These are all understandable questions, but they reveal a shortsighted view of life. Our time on this earth is a mere instant, a blink of the eye, in the big picture of eternity. Certainly, the things that happen in this life have profound implications for eternity. But the things we endure are temporary.

The reality is that God uses trials, tribulations, setbacks, and challenges in people’s lives to accomplish His will. How He does it isn’t always apparent to us. When the apostle Paul asked God to remove an affliction from him, the Lord replied, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).

That’s why our best response is to patiently endure what God allows in this life. Because our heavenly Father is gracious and generous beyond our imagining, our patient endurance through these temporary challenges and struggles will be rewarded for eternity.

Reflection question: What would patient endurance look like in your life?Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 

—Proverbs 11:25

Scripture:

Proverbs 11:25 

There is a story of an infamous pirate named Juan Carlos was rumored to have buried an enormous treasure in a location only he knew. One day a man approached Juan Carlos in Mexico, pushed him to the ground, and said, “Tell me where all your money is buried, or I will kill you right here on the spot!”

Juan Carlos didn’t speak a word of English and needed an interpreter, so he saw a boy nearby and called him over. The boy relayed the man’s message to Juan Carlos and, fearing for his life, Juan Carlos said to the boy, “Tell this man I don’t want to die. Tell him the money is located thirty paces north of the city water tower, under a large rock.”

The boy turned to the man and replied, “Juan Carlos says he is an honorable man and that he will never tell you where the money is. Juan Carlos says kill him now.”

There are some people who, once they see an opportunity to claim something for themselves, will do so without a second thought about the consequences. For them, joy and satisfaction come from possessing. In geometric terms, they see God’s blessings as a line segment with fixed ends. The blessings begin at Point A, with God, and end at Point B, with them.

God, on the other hand, views His blessings as a ray. They begin at Point A, with Him, but then continue indefinitely, through Point B and beyond. The apostle Paul explained it this way: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

This perspective aligns with the words of Jesus in Luke 6:38: “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38 NLT). This isn’t a formula for getting rich; it’s a picture of the overflowing generosity God cultivates in His people.

Proverbs 11:25 puts it this way: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (NLT).

The amazing truth at the heart of these passages is that God blesses us so that we can bless others. Ultimate joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment come not from possessing or hoarding God’s blessings but from passing them on to others.

One of the best-known hymns ever written begins with the line, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” Flow is the key. His blessings flow to us and then through us to others. God wants us to be part of how He blesses others. When we think only in terms of benefit for ourselves, we dam the flow. We become obstacles to the ways He might bless others.

The only way for God’s people to truly prosper is to be generous. Refreshing others with what God has given us is one of our highest callings.

Reflection question: What would blessing others with what you’ve received from the Lord look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master. 

—Genesis 4:7

Scripture:

Genesis 4:7 

Many years ago, my son Christopher was lying out in the sun at our house when he woke up to find a huge gopher snake, coiled up and hissing at him, poised to strike. The snake must have been six or seven feet long. Terrified, he ran into the house and shut the door behind him.

His encounter serves as an illustration of the danger of sin—it’s always ready to strike. To use another analogy, sin waits at the door of our lives, looking for an opportunity to enter. In some cases, it’s already slithered across the threshold and made itself at home.

This is the amazing, but difficult, truth that we’re going to look at today: Sin is a potential threat—not just every day or every hour, but every minute we draw breath in this life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven” (NLT). Unfortunately, though, sin never goes out of season, even when it seems like it should. Many Christians have learned too late that they’re most vulnerable to sin after a “mountaintop experience”—that is, a powerful spiritual experience. Emboldened by a sense of spiritual victory or maturity, they let down their guard and leave themselves open to sin.

Other times, it’s not quite so lofty circumstances that make us vulnerable. We see this in the tragic story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis. When Cain saw that the Lord accepted Abel’s offering but not his, he was angry. That in itself wasn’t a sin. Anger is an emotion, and it isn’t always sinful. But what we do with anger can be right or wrong.

God recognized the vulnerable position Cain was in and gave him a warning. He essentially told Cain what was going to happen to him if he didn’t get himself under control. “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:7 NLT). Like a wild animal, sin is crouching, ready to pounce.

We don’t have to be victims of its attacks. In fact, we don’t battle sin in our own strength. Our heavenly Father helps us resist sin and put it to death.

The next time sin comes knocking at your door, you might say, “Lord, would You mind getting that? I’m going to stand in Your strength. I’m going to trust in You. You’re the only one who can give me the strength to overpower sin.” In order for us to master sin, we must first be mastered by Him who conquered it.

Reflection question: How can you keep from letting down your guard against sin? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 

—Psalm 8:3–4

Scripture:

Psalm 8:3-4 

There’s an old saying that goes, “You wouldn’t worry so much about what other people thought of you if you knew how infrequently they do.” And while the truth of that statement may sting, there’s an amazing truth in Scripture that can bring you tremendous comfort if you’re able to wrap your head around it. Here it is: God is thinking about you.

In Psalm 8:3–4, David, the shepherd and giant-slayer who would become king of Israel, tries to come to grips with that very realization. One night, probably when he was watching over his sheep, he looked up at the incredible array of stars above him and made this statement: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (NLT).

This same wonder and awe should grip us when we read these verses. It’s incredible to think that the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God who knows every star by name, would care about us. Not only does He care about humanity as a whole, but He also cares about us as individuals. Not only does He care about us as individuals, but He also knows about every detail of our lives. If you want to take it one step further, look at the Lord’s words in Jeremiah 1:5: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb” (NLT).

God even knows the very thoughts that we think. Jesus said, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8 NKJV).

Psalm 40:5 tells us, “Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered” (NKJV). Psalm 115:12 (NKJV) says, “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us.”

Your heavenly Father thinks about you because you are precious to Him. He sees what isn’t always apparent to other people. He sees your value, your worth, and your potential. He sees your heart. He sees the raw materials He can use to accomplish amazing things in and through you.

So, even when family and friends have forgotten about you, know this truth: The Lord is thinking about you. The Lord cares about you and takes an interest in even the smallest details of your life. They might seem trivial to someone else—but not to God. If it concerns you, then it concerns Him.

Reflection question: What does it mean to you to know that God is thinking about you right now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

—1 Corinthians 10:31

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:31 

The Bible is full of amazing truths. In this week’s devotions, we’re going to focus on six specific truths and what they mean for us. The first amazing truth is this: God can use you in a profoundly impactful way.

I remember when, as a young Christian, I would sit in the pews at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa and listen to Senior Pastor Chuck Smith speak. I would think to myself, “I wonder if God would ever use me. I wonder if the Lord would ever speak through me.” Never in my wildest dreams did I think that God would allow me to be a pastor with the privilege of proclaiming the gospel to many. It was beyond my own aspirations.

If you’re planning your future right now, if you’re thinking about what course you want to follow in life, ask God for His direction. Say, “Lord, I want to be the person that You want me to be. I want my relationships and my future to honor You. I want to be in the center of Your will. I don’t want to go out there and blow it. Help me to do Your will.” God’s plans for you are better than anything you’ve ever planned for yourself.

God has given each of us certain abilities, talents, and resources. The question is, what are you doing with them? Are you seeking to use them for His glory? Are you offering your resources and future to Him? The apostle Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT). That covers pretty much everything, doesn’t it? His point is that bringing glory to God should be our highest priority. When you strive to bring glory to God in every area of your life, He can open doors, bring the right connections, and provide the amazing opportunities.

I’m not saying that you must be a pastor or a missionary. But whatever you do, whether you’re a doctor, an architect, a secretary, a computer programmer, a stay-at-home parent, a builder, a musician, a teacher, a carpenter, or work in some other field, you should want to serve the Lord and do it for the glory of God. That’s what matters. Your life can be a testimony and a witness for Jesus.

We should also keep in mind that our idea of what’s important, profound, or impactful may be far different from God’s idea. God may use us in ways that seem comparatively insignificant to the ways He uses other people. This is when we need to remind ourselves that we have an obstructed view. We can’t see the big picture of God’s plan. We can’t see how things fit together. So, we must be faithful with what He gives us, prioritize His glory in everything we do, and then trust Him to accomplish His will through us in a profoundly impactful way.

Reflection question: What would doing “all for the glory of God” look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

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Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Then the LORD said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.’ 

—1 Kings 17:2–4

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:2-4 

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were among the most wicked rulers in Israel’s history. Not only did they promote the worship of Baal, but they also tried to wipe out the prophets of God. It fell to Elijah to confront the king and warn him of God’s judgment. In 1 Kings 17:1, Elijah informed Ahab that Israel would experience a drought that would last for years.

Then God did something unexpected. Instead of building on that significant moment and initiating the inevitable showdown with the prophets of Baal, God chose a different path for Elijah. According to verses 2–4, “Then the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food’” (NLT).

In other words, “I have a different plan in mind for you, Elijah. I want you to disappear from the scene for a while. In fact, I want you to go to this little brook called Kerith and just hang out there.”

And that’s what Elijah did. He may have been a man of action, but first and foremost he was a man of faith and obedience. So, he went to a place of total obscurity. He took a time-out from his normal prophetic duties.

The reality is that sometimes God will use us and then say, “Now I’m going to work on you for a while. You’re not ready for what I have for you next. I’ve got to whip you into shape a little more.” That’s what He was doing with Elijah.

It wasn’t a time for action; it was a time for stillness and reflection. It wasn’t a time for striving; it was a time for prayer and study. It wasn’t a time for proving; it was a time for growing.

Maybe you’ve experienced a similar unexpected sidelining. Maybe there were cutbacks at work, and you were let go. Maybe you had a ministry that was flourishing but suddenly is now floundering. Perhaps sickness has altered your plans. You’ve had to make changes, and it seems like the end. But maybe it isn’t the end at all. Maybe it’s a new beginning.

The natural reaction to such circumstances is to become anxious or impatient. We may begin to question God, His methods, or His timing. Or we may try to force His hand by taking matters into our own hands. The apostle Paul recommended a different strategy: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT).

God may have closed a door for you because He has another door ready to open at any time. Here’s what you need to do: Wait on the Lord and be faithful to Him. Often the things we go through in life are preparation for something else. Know that God is preparing you for something in your future.

Reflection question: What might God be preparing you for? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 

—Psalm 119:105

Scripture:

Psalm 119:105 

“God is love; He doesn’t punish people.” “God wants us to be our authentic selves and not listen to people who judge us.” “God doesn’t care about rules; He cares about what’s best for each person.” How many variations of these statements and others like them have you heard or read recently?

There are a lot of people today who claim to hear the voice of God telling them to do this or that. Some even claim God is telling them to disregard biblical teachings in favor of a more inclusive approach to Christianity. No matter how convincing these arguments may seem, however, we must remember that God never contradicts His Word. His truth never fades, changes, or evolves. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He always will lead us according to what His Word says.

That’s a hard pill for some people to swallow, especially when they see God’s Word as keeping them from pursuing their own desires. As a result, some come up with some lame concepts, such as, “We’re not married, but God has told us it’s okay to have sex.” I can assure them that God didn’t say that because in His Word says, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT). God won’t contradict His Word.

We also need to realize that God’s Word isn’t an obstacle; it’s an opportunity. Think back to the time when people used to send letters by mail. If you were expecting a letter from someone, you’d stand at the window, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the postal worker to come by. Then you’d bolt to the mailbox to look for your letter. Maybe it was from someone you were in love with. Maybe it was an answer to a job application. Maybe it was something you ordered in the mail. Maybe it was important news you’ve been waiting for.

But what if you had a handwritten note sent to you from God Himself? Would you carry it around in your pocket for a couple of weeks and open it when you got around to it? I doubt it. You probably would tear it open as you’re thinking, “Wow, God spoke to me! What does He have to say?”

The Bible is a written letter from God. Many people carry it around. They have it in different colors and sizes. They have it in different translations. They even have it on their phones and devices. But they never open it. A letter from God Himself goes unread.

What a missed opportunity! The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT) God stands ready to illuminate every area of our lives. If you want Him to speak to you, then open His Word.

In the noise and busyness of social media, you’ll find countless people who will tell you what God wants and doesn’t want, what He loves and hates, what He rewards and punishes, and what He cares about and what He’s indifferent to.

But only in the quiet stillness of reading His Word for yourself will you find the truth about our heavenly Father.

Reflection question: How do you make the most of your time in God’s Word? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. 

—Numbers 6:24–26

Scripture:

Numbers 6:24–26 

Attention is becoming a scarce commodity in our modern culture. Attention spans have become alarmingly short. Algorithms are constantly being tweaked and perfected to keep people’s focus on their screens. As a result, many people have little attention to spare for others.

How often do you find yourself talking to someone who isn’t listening—or who’s giving you considerably less than their full attention? And when you call them on it, the conversation usually goes something like this:

“Did you hear what I just said?”

“Yes.”

“What did I say?”

“Uh, something about something that happened.”

We may be tempted to wonder if we face the same challenge with God. He is the Sustainer of the universe, after all. Given the infinite number of things that concern Him, we may question whether we have His full attention. And when things aren’t going well for us, we may start to doubt that He’s even aware of our struggles.

Maybe Joseph felt that way at times. After all, he was only human. He had done all the right things, even after his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. He had resisted the advances of Potiphar’s wife. And what did he get for being a person of integrity? He was falsely accused of sexual assault and thrown into an Egyptian prison.

How easily Joseph could have thought, “This is just great. You serve the Lord, you do what God wants, and this is where it gets you. If I had given in to Mrs. Potiphar, I wouldn’t be here right now. I would be living in the lap of luxury. But here I am, suffering!”

Of course, this would have been a shortsighted reaction. The truth is that God’s full attention was on Joseph, not just on his immediate circumstances, but on his long-term potential. God’s plan wasn’t for Joseph to be comfortable every day of his life and fully informed of what the future held. His plan was for Joseph to save countless people from famine and to set into motion the events that eventually would lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land.

Joseph was the ideal person for the job because he was willing to be still in even the worst circumstances. To look for the opportunities that presented themselves in prison. To use his God-given skills in surprising ways.

Even in the quietness of prison, Joseph was not outside God’s attention. He certainly didn’t understand everything that was happening to him. But he recognized that his circumstances were part of his preparation. He trusted that God was equipping him for something greater.

We too can have that confidence. Numbers 6:24–26 says, “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace” (NLT). The idea is that the Lord gives us His full attention.

Be still and let that amazing truth give you comfort in both good times and bad.

Reflection question: What does it mean to you to have God’s full attention?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 

—2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

Years ago, our grandson Christopher was playing in our backyard. Suddenly, he came running into the house with tears streaming down his face, unable to speak because of pain.

“Christopher, what happened?” I asked. He lifted his shirt, and I could see a long, red scrape on his back. It was just deep enough to stir up those little nerve endings, leaving him in that “take-your-breath-away” agony. I scooped him up, grabbed an ice pack from the freezer, and held him in my arms. All I wanted to do was remove the pain, but I couldn’t. I could do something practical like put ice on the wound and hold him tight through his suffering, but beyond that I simply had to wait for the pain to subside.

Oh, how it breaks my heart to see my loved ones hurt. But soon enough, the tears stopped flowing and Christopher felt better. I’m sure the bowl of ice cream I gave him also helped.

So often when someone is hurting, what they want from us more than anything else is just our attention and our love: someone to put our arm around them, listen, and sit with them while they hurt. My hope, my prayer, is that we—as a church, as believers—are doing exactly that. We are coming alongside those who are hurting. We are helping each other. We are welcoming others in. This ministry of presence requires us to be still—to resist the urge to “do,” to fix, or to heal something that’s beyond our power to change.

We want the church to be a place where there’s no shame, no fear, no hiding—a safe place for people who are suffering. We’re not going to fall back on tired clichés and try to fix people. We need to remember that brokenness takes time to heal. And sometimes the brokenness may never heal, but we need to love people throughout that time.

When I was going through my season of suffering after the death of my son, the greatest gift people could give me was the gift of their presence. Of simply being there. Instead of asking me difficult and sometimes wounding questions before I was ready to open up and talk, they chose to just be present with me.

We are here to be like Jesus, to be His hands and feet. We are to show compassion and to offer the ministry of our presence. We may not understand the complexities of people’s lives, but we are believers with the Holy Spirit living within us, and He will guide us in comforting others.

Can we love somebody? Can we welcome somebody? Can we put our arm around somebody? Let’s challenge ourselves to live out a “yes” answer to these questions.

Reflection question: When has someone given you the gift of presence?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. 

—Psalm 141:3

Scripture:

Psalm 141:3 

It’s been said that God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason: He wants us to listen more and to speak less. Think of how often we jump to conclusions or pass judgment in a situation. The writer of Proverbs warned, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish” (Proverbs 18:13 NLT). Nevertheless, when we hear something damaging about another person, our first instinct is to conclude immediately that the person is guilty as charged. And instead of saying, “Let’s go to that person and find out the truth,” we start to spread the news as if it were fact.

In the old days when you went to a doctor, he would ask you to stick out your tongue. Then he would pull out a tongue depressor and tell you to say, “Ahhh.” Why? Because the tongue can be an indicator of what’s going on inside you. By observing your tongue, a doctor could tell what was wrong with the rest of you.

The principle applies in a spiritual sense as well. Our tongue—or, more specifically, our words—are the table of contents to our lives. What we say gives away who or what we really are.

That’s why David wrote, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips” (Psalm 141:3 NLT). In essence, he was saying, “Lord, set a watch over my mouth. I can’t stop other people from speaking evil about me, but I will not do the same to them. I will not be guilty of it, Lord. But I need your help. I can’t do this in my own strength.”

Keep in mind that David faced off against a lion, a bear, the murderous King Saul, and a host of other enemies. He stepped onto a battlefield with the warrior giant Goliath with no fear and barely a second thought. Yet he knew what he was up against with the tongue.

We need to follow his lead. We can accomplish some important work with our words. The apostle Paul wrote, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:5–6 NLT). He also wrote, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT). And the writer of Proverbs advised, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4 NLT).

But we can’t do those things on our own. Like David, we must pray that the Lord will set a guard over our mouths and keep a watch over the door of our lips.

Reflection question: In what areas do you need the Lord to help you guard your lips? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 I said to the LORD, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy! O Sovereign LORD, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle. 

—Psalm 140:6–7

Scripture:

Psalm 140:6–7 

Few people in Scripture had a better understanding of God than David did. David knew what it was like to be favored by God. In 1 Samuel 13:14, he is referred to as a man after God’s own heart. He also knew what it was like to be on the business end of God’s discipline after his affair with Bathsheba. But more importantly for the purposes of this devotion, David knew what it was like to be protected by God and to have his burdens lifted by the Lord.

Look at his words in Psalm 140:6–7: “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy! O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle” (NLT). Such confidence can only come from experience.

If you’ve ever wondered how David rose to the occasion time and time again when other people might have crumbled, look at his words to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:46: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands” (NIV). He didn’t boast about his speed, agility, or prowess with a sling. Instead, he invoked the name of the Lord, the One who had seen him through other dangers and carried his burdens in the past. David so completely trusted God to protect him again that he walked onto a battlefield against a heavily armored giant in his shepherd’s clothes.

In 1 Samuel 17:46 and Psalm 140:6–7, David’s message was the same: “Lord, I place it all on you.”

Have you reached the point in your relationship with God where you can say the same thing? You probably don’t have to think hard to recall times when He answered an urgent prayer request or saw you through a difficult situation.

Let those memories serve as confidence builders. Replay them again and again in your mind. Give thanks and praise to the Lord daily for His work in your life. Keep track of it in your prayer journal. Tell others about His goodness to you. Memorize Scripture passages that testify to His goodness, strength, and protection. For example, in Isaiah 41:10, God says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (NLT). And in Philippians 4:19, the apostle Paul writes, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (NLT).

Are you burdened today? Is something troubling you? Do you have anxiety over some situation? Maybe it’s a problem at work or an issue with a loved one. Whatever your burden may be, David has given you the example. Cast it on the Lord. He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (NLT).

God’s done it before, and He’ll do it again. Armed with that confidence, you can face any circumstance.

Reflection question: What burden do you need to give to God? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 O LORD, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. 

—Psalm 140:1–2

Scripture:

Psalm 140:1–2 

There’s an old saying that goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” David’s words in Psalm 140 offer compelling evidence of that. David begins the psalm with these words: “O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long” (verses 1–2 NLT).

“Stirring up trouble all day long” is practically a job description for the influencers, trolls, and others who crowd onto modern social media platforms. No gossip is too salacious, no accusation is too offensive for them to reframe for their own purposes, comment on, and spread to others.

Like David, we are living in a wicked, vicious time. People today have an unhealthy appetite for gossip and slander—anything that makes others look bad. Once upon a time, this was known as a “tabloid mentality.” But the kind of stuff that once could be found only in supermarket tabloids has spread throughout the ranks of journalism and broadcast media. Hard news has been replaced by attacking partisan commentary. Everyone wants the dirt, especially on those they oppose. Social media has accelerated the decline in journalistic and personal integrity. Civility, courtesy, and empathy seem to be nearing extinction.

Take away the technology, and you have a culture that would have been recognizable to David. The “evil people” he referred to in Psalm 140:1 had initiated a carefully planned campaign of slander and lies against him, and it was proving to be effective. You’ve heard the expression, “Good news travels fast.” I suggest to you that bad news travels even faster. It’s been said that a lie is halfway around the world while truth is still putting on its shoes. There’s something about a falsehood that causes it to spread like a wildfire.

James knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:6 NLT).

David understood what our response should be to the trouble that people stir up. In Psalm 25:4–5, he wrote, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you” (NLT).

As believers, we must reject the lies of the world and learn everything we can about God’s truth. We must ask God to lead us, to help us resist the temptation to fight fire with fire when people stir up trouble.

We need never concern ourselves about people’s reactions when we’re walking in God’s truth.

Reflection question: What would focusing on God’s truth look like in your life?

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 

—Psalm 139:7–10

Scripture:

Psalm 139:7–10 

One of God’s perfections is His omnipresence. He is present everywhere all the time. The psalmist captured the essence and implications of God’s omnipresence when he wrote, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT).

If we extend that line of reasoning, it’s not hard to see that the omnipresence of God can be comforting or frightening, depending on your perspective. If you’re not right with God and you’re trying to get away from Him, His omnipresence creates a huge obstacle. The Old Testament prophet Jonah could testify to that.

God gave Jonah an assignment that Jonah found distasteful. The Lord wanted Jonah to warn the Ninevites that His judgment was coming if they didn’t repent. Jonah balked at the mission because the Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. He didn’t want them to repent. He was rooting for God’s judgment on them. So, he went down to Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, away from Nineveh and presumably away from God. But you know how the story ends. Jonah recognized the error of his ways and repented in the belly of a giant fish. Because God was there, too.

There’s an obvious lesson in there for anyone who’s trying to run from God. That is, you’re wasting your time and energy. It can’t be done. No matter where you go, God will be waiting for you. You can’t escape His presence.

On the other hand, if you’re walking with God, you’ll find great comfort in the knowledge that you’re never alone. When you face fiery trials, when you go through times of difficulty, when you have to weather life’s storms, God is with you every step of the way.

David memorably celebrated God’s presence in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verses 1–4 NLT).

You never need feel lost, scared, abandoned, or alone. If you’re walking with God, He will never leave you.

Reflection question: When do you most appreciate God’s presence?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments. 

—Psalm 119:56

Scripture:

Psalm 119:56 

What makes you happy? What brings you peace? Where do you find meaning, purpose, and a sense of fulfillment in your life? One of the biggest tragedies of our modern culture is that many people can’t answer these questions. They may find moments of excitement or distraction. They may have fun. But those moments are fleeting and surfacy. There’s nothing deep or lasting about them.

Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” Someone else once said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it.”

So, for many people today who are searching for happiness, the cold hard truth is that they will never find it. The news stories we see about celebrities seem to confirm it. For all their accomplishments, fame, and money, many of them lead miserable and empty lives. And that’s because they’re searching for happiness in the wrong way.

The psalmist revealed the key to the search when he wrote, “This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments” (Psalm 119:56 NLT). Genuine happiness is always a byproduct of holiness. Get your life right with God and happiness will soon follow.

Several other passages in Scripture confirm this:

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11 NLT).

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly” (Proverbs 3:13–18 NLT).

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT).

“Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Proverbs 16:20 NLT).

“So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 NLT).

Unfortunately, unbelievers will never know true happiness. Instead, they will pursue the devil’s cheap counterfeits, facsimiles that seem to offer what they desire. They won’t recognize until it’s too late that the counterfeits are shallow, because they possess no deep well from which to draw. The world’s concept of happiness is dependent on good things happening. The Christian concept of happiness depends on a good God.

Choose God’s way.

Reflection question: How can you help unbelievers in your life recognize where genuine happiness can be found? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

—Psalm 119:11

Scripture:

Psalm 119:11 

You’ve probably heard the old saying that a Bible that’s falling apart is usually the sign of a life that isn’t. I must admit that I like to see beat-up, marked-up Bibles that are coming apart, because it tells me that they’ve seen heavy use. Their pages are well-worn. Favorite passages can be located immediately because of familiar breaks in the spine. Every scribbled note, every underlined passage tells a story.

I’ve often said that there should be a Bible produced especially for preachers. In fact, I’ve mentioned the idea to people who actually publish Bibles. I told them, “Make a preacher’s Bible. Give it a steel binding.” After all, preachers really use their Bibles. As we’re speaking, we do things like shake it, hold it up, and point to it. Why we do that, I don’t really know.

Of course, as believers, we shouldn’t simply shake our Bibles or hold them up or point to them. We need to read God’s Word. We need to memorize it. We need to follow the example of the psalmist who said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NLT).

A purse or a briefcase may serve as a handy carrier for God’s Word, but our heart is an even better one. Jesus kept God’s Word in His heart. When the devil tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Scripture to counter him. Three times the devil did his worst. And three times he was rebuffed by the Word of God. Matthew 4:11 says simply, “Then the devil went away” (NLT). He was no match for God’s Word.

Scripture can serve a similar purpose in our lives. We have no way of knowing when and how the devil is going to tempt us. But we do know that God’s Word will thwart his plans. So, it’s important that we carry it with us wherever we go. That way, we can deploy it when we need to.

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts also helps us fulfill the Great Commission. The apostle Paul wrote of unbelievers, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14–15 NLT).

The more quickly and effectively we can access the Good News, the more powerful our witness will be. Being able to draw from what’s stored in our heart is a tremendous advantage.

God’s Word is a powerful tool, and a powerful weapon against our enemy, whether we hold it in our hands or in our heart.

Reflection question: What would hiding God’s Word in your heart look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 

—Psalm 119:1

Scripture:

Psalm 119:1 

The psalmist wrote, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1 NLT). That may come as quite a surprise to people who fail to see the connection between following instructions and joy.

Many unbelievers—and believers—have a hard time getting past the “Thou shalt nots” of God’s commandments. They see God as a cosmic killjoy whose primary interaction with humankind is to legislate through His Word the complete elimination of fun and excitement.

This isn’t just an accidental misunderstanding of our heavenly Father; it’s the result of a calculated strategy. Look at the serpent’s first words to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT). He played on her FOMO—fear of missing out—before she was even aware that she had such a fear. The serpent caused her to see God’s command, His only command, as something ponderous and restrictive. And the stigma remains.

So, we need to make this clear: People who see the Bible and the Christian life as little more than a list of rules and regulations have not carefully examined Scripture. Yes, God tells us what to avoid. Yes, He warns us of things that are perilous to our spiritual health. At the same time, however, God tells us what to engage in. He reveals to us what will push the buttons of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that He installed in us.

For example, in 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul writes, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts” (NLT). But then he follows it up with this: “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (NLT). What an appealing invitation! What potential for life-changing growth, joy, and fulfillment!

Believers who merely try to avoid what is evil are missing the point. Loving God isn’t just about what not to do. It’s also about what to do. If you want to be a truly joyful and holy person, you not only should avoid what is wrong, but you should embrace and actively engage in what is right. That’s what walking with the Lord is about. It involves progression, moving forward, rather than sitting still.

In Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth, he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT). Each one of those things represents forward progress. Paul gives clear commands, and we apply them faithfully in the particular situations God places before us.

If we focus only on the “Thou shalt not” commandments of Scripture, we’ll miss those opportunities.

Reflection question: Which positive instructions in Scripture will you prioritize this week? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? 

—Psalm 116:12

Scripture:

Psalm 116:12 

A farmer who was known for his frugality owned a cow that gave birth to two calves. He said to his wife, “I’m going to dedicate one of these calves to the Lord.” Knowing his miserly ways, she was very surprised and asked which one he was planning to give to the Lord.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll let you know,” he said.

A few days went by, and again she asked which calf he was giving to the Lord. “I’m still thinking about it,” he told her.

Then one day, one of the calves got sick. It grew worse and worse until one night the farmer walked up onto the porch with the calf draped over his arms. He said to his wife, “Honey, I have bad news. The Lord’s calf just died.”

Similarly, many of us tend to give God that which we don’t really want ourselves. Think about a typical day. What place do we give to the things of God? Maybe we utter a quick prayer as we roll out of bed or offer some hurried words of thanks over breakfast. Then we rush off to our responsibilities. At the end of the day, we say, “Oh, right. I’ll give God these last four minutes as I’m dozing off.”

If God is important, then why do we give Him our leftovers? God certainly doesn’t want our leftovers. He makes that quite clear in Scripture. God said to Israel, “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king . . . and my name is feared among the nations!” (Malachi 1:14 NLT).

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT).

One of the most important steps of spiritual growth is making sure that our priorities are in order. In the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to convince ourselves that pressing work responsibilities or family commitments should take precedence over our time with the Lord. But that kind of focus makes us lose sight of the interconnectedness of our responsibilities.

God rewards time spent with Him. When we give Him the choicest part of our day, He blesses the remainder. When we quiet ourselves before Him, pour out our praise, thanksgiving, and requests in prayer, and spend quality time in His Word, we are better prepared to face the challenges and responsibilities of the day.

The psalmist asked, “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12 NLT). If we let that question guide our thoughts, actions, and priorities, we will discover what it means to serve God—and to be abundantly blessed by Him in return.

God gave us His best. Let’s give Him ours.

Reflection question: How can you ensure that God gets the best from you?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 

—Psalm 107:8

Scripture:

Psalm 107:8 

In the Old Testament we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT).

Imagine the scene: “All right, guys, here’s the plan today. The enemy soldiers are out there, armed to the teeth. So, our first wave of attack will be musical. We’re sending out the choir.” If I’d been one of those choir members, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music. But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic.

The result was nothing short of amazing. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped” (verses 22–24 NLT).

Good things happen when God’s people prioritize thanking and praising the Lord. It’s a simple lesson, but one that’s shockingly easy to forget.

Luke 17:11–19 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with ten men who had leprosy. When the men saw Jesus approaching their village, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (verse 13 NLT). And with a single instruction from Him, the men were healed. Their leprosy disappeared. Their lives were changed forever.

Verse 15 says, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’” (NLT). One out of ten thanked Jesus. That percentage surprised even the Lord Himself.

“Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (verses 17–18 NLT).

It’s not so much that Jesus was offended by the inconsiderate reactions of the other nine; it was more of a concern that they were going to miss out on the blessings that come when people express their thanks to God.

Of course, few of us would dare shake our heads at the lack of response from the inconsiderate nine. If we could do an inventory of the number of times God has answered our prayers and then compare that to the number of times we’ve thanked Him, we probably would cringe at the results.

The psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (Psalm 107:8 NLT).

Let that be our daily priority.

Reflection question: How can you be more proactive in giving thanks to God for His blessings in your life?

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it. 

—Psalm 106:15

Scripture:

Psalm 106:15 

The psalmist’s words in Psalm 106:15 remind us that prayer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Referring to God’s response to the complaints and cravings of the Israelites, who were freed from slavery in Egypt but then proved unfaithful in their trek to the Promised Land, the psalmist writes, “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it” (Psalm 106:15 NLT).

Having a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe is not a privilege to be taken for granted. God’s Word has much to say about prayer, and it all begins with the right attitude.

I sometimes hear people say, “I’ve been wrestling with God in prayer.” My first thought always is “I hope you lost.” If you’re trying to bend God your way with your prayers, you might as well save your breath. That’s not how prayer works. Prayer gives us the opportunity to bend God’s way.

That’s a lesson that’s probably been driven home to you time and time again if you keep a prayer journal. If you look back on some of your prayer requests, perhaps when you were a new Christian, you probably see some efforts to get God to come around to your way of thinking. To get Him to substitute your will for His will. And chances are, you cringe when you see them and rejoice that God had a better plan.

I’m certainly glad that God didn’t say yes to every prayer I ever prayed. When I look back on some things I’ve prayed for, I realize that if the Lord would have allowed them, they could have destroyed me. They were not the right things or the right situations. So, God graciously and lovingly said no.

Maturing as a believer includes learning how to pray—and especially, what to pray for. In John 15:7, Jesus gives an incredible promise regarding answered prayer. He says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). From the original language, this verse could be understood as, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My Word is at home with you, I command you to ask at once for yourself whatever your heart desires, and it will be yours.”

When I read a promise like that, I gravitate immediately toward the part that says I can ask whatever my heart desires and it will be mine. But before that, Jesus said, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My word is at home with you. . . .” If this is happening in your life, then you’re going to want what God wants. If you’re maintaining a living communion with God and His words are at home in your heart, then your outlook, desires—and in time, your prayers—will change.

And when you unleash the full power of prayer in your life, it will never be the same.

Reflection question: What would a living communion with God look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie